B’ville girl to kick off fundraiser

This Saturday, the 11-year-old Ray Middle School student, who has developed a following at the Open Mic Nights at the Cross Lake Inn & Marina, will be the opening act for 18 bands as she kicks off Battle of the Bands, a fundraiser for Stand Against Suicide.

“It is great to know that I am involved in something that can help people a lot,” Bird said.

The event, presented by Stand Against Suicide and CNY Rock Productions, features local bands, all of whom auditioned for a slot in the competition. Each artist will perform for 30 minutes. The winning band receives $1,000 cash. Other prizes include a recording session and a photo shoot.

Bird was approached for the gig after SAS President Tara Denee watched a Facebook video of one of Bird’s performances.

“We all agreed it would be a great opportunity for her and booked it,” said Stacy Alexander, Payton’s mom. “Payton is pretty excited to be doing this. It will be her biggest crowd to date.”

Bird will perform from 11:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 20, at the SRC Arena and will then sing the national anthem at noon to kick things off.

According to Alexander, Payton is not new to the stage as she has performed in school functions and local talent competitions.

“[Payton] has recently gained a little bit more notoriety and has developed a little following. She had her first real gig last fall at a Fall Harvest Festival in Utica performing a half hour set by herself,” Alexander said. “People kept asking when and where she was going to be performing/singing, so we set up a Facebook Fan page for her that has gotten a lot of positive feedback.”

While her future career is not yet set in stone, Bird has set her hopes on performing.

“I hope to be a professional singer,” she said. “It’s a way to express who I am, singing and performing.”

To view a performance by Bird, visit youtube.com/paypaybird or facebook.com/paytonbirdcny, or check her out at Saturday’s Battle of the Bands. Doors open at 11 a.m.; tickets are $7 for under 18 or with school ID, $12 over 18. All proceeds will benefit SAS programming.

The following bands will compete in Saturday’s event:

Stone Soul Foundation

Without Regret

Far From Over

Glass Skeleton Death March

Enemy Down

Lowkey

Pacinello

Second Dam

After the Clearing

Agrestic

The Gunrunners

Zen Kura

Woodworks

Weekend Crush

Civil Servants

Kilter

Mike Brandisi & The New York Rock

Headliners are hip hop artists Lost Cause.

Stand Against Suicide was founded in 2010 by Tara Kinsella Dennee in memory of her father, who died by suicide in 2008. The Elbridge-based organization seeks to raise awareness about the risks of mental illness and to encourage those in need to get help. Through a grant from the Pepsi Foundation and local fundraisers, Stand Against Suicide seeks to erase the stigma surrounding the discussion of mental illness and suicide.